Signaling system for elevators.



No. 826,752. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

J. B. SMALLEY & 0. A. REINERS. SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY24. 1905.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 24.1905. HEET 2,

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No. 826,752. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906. J. B. SMALLEY G. A. REINERS.SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

, APPLICATION FILED MAY 24.1905.

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J. B. SMALLEY & C. A. RE INERS. SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24.1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. SMALLEY. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND CHARLES A. REINERS, OF NEWYORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO ELEVATOR SUPPLY & REPAIR COMPANY, ACORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 24, 1906.

Application filed May 24. 1905- Serial No. 262,038.

T rt Hill/(1TH; it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES B. SMALLEY, residing at Chicago, Illinois,and CHARLES A. RnrNEus, residin at New York, N. Y., citi- Zens of theUnite States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSignaling Systems for Elevators, of which the fol.- lowing is a clear,full, and exact description.

Our invention has reference to an electric signaling system forelevators; and our object is to improve and simplify such constructions.

Our general system is similar in many re.- spects to that set forth inour previous patent, No. 634,220, dated October 3, 1899; but we havesimplified and improved such system in man} respects and have materiallyimproved the construction of the details thereof.

Our invention will be setforth in the claims.

lnthe drawings, which show a preferred form of our present invention,Figure l is a diagram of the wiring arranged as for a building havingseven floors. vation of a dd tail, showing a restoring and a settingmagnet and a mercury-potnvhich may be used, if desired. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of one-half of the commutator, taken substantially on the linea a of Fig. 7. Fig.

,4 is a bottom View of the brush-carrier, brush holders, and brushesshown in Fig. 3that is, it is a view of the same from the oppositedirection from which it is seen inFig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section of thesame on the line of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail of the yoke connectingtwo brushes. Fig. I" is a vertical section at the right being shown inthe same section as F 1g. 5 and the bYUShCSITIBI at the left being shownin section on the line 0 c of Fig. 4. Fig.

8 is a detail view of the screw-shaft and travcling nut thereon,partially in section. Fig. 9) is a partial detail of the rear side ofone side oi. the commutater-frame, showing the slate construction. Fig.10 is a partial section on the lined d of Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a planview of the guideway on the base of the frame.

in carrying out certain portions of our invention. claimed the form ofcommutator shown in the drawings may not be necessary; but we prefer toprovide a frame upon which are arranged suitable contacts having theircontact-faces arranged in substantially two Fig. 2 is a side elevertical lanes separated from each other, as indicate in Fig. 7, and toprovide suitable brushes for said contacts with means to move saidbrushes relatively over said plates so as to make proper electricalconnection at the proper times.

In Fig. 1 there have been omittedfrom the diagram most of thosecontact-plates which form nopart of the electrical features in order tosimplify the same. In this diagram 1 is a source of electricitysuch, forexample, as an ordinary dynamo. 2 is an elevator-car which is adapted totravel up and down in a shaft, and 3 is an electrically-controlled signal carried by the car and which is preferably in the form of anelectric lamp. Electricallycontrolled signals located along theelevatorshaft may also be provided for signaling the intending passengerthat an elevator-car is approaching him in the direction which hedesires to go. These signals are also preferably electric lamps and areindicated at 4 to 15, the top and bottom floors each being provided witha single lamp and each of the intermediate floors with a pair of lamps,such as 5 and 6 for the fifth fioor. These will be usually locatedoutside of the elevator-shaft adjacent to each doorway, as is common atthe present time, one of said lamps serving to indicate adownwardly-moving car and the other one an upwardly-moving car. We havealso provided suitable hand-o erated mechanism located. at each floor,suc. as ordinary push-buttons, by which the intending through thecommutator, the brush-carrier them being located each floor, except theytop and bottom floors, the u )per ones, such as 21, being to signalupwardly-moving cars, and the lower ones, such as 22, being to signaldownwardl moving cars. Although we have not in the d i'awings shown morethan one car or more than one commutator, and also onl the ficor-signalsfor one shaft, it will be evident that the same may be duplicated for.

other shafts of a bank of elevators and that the same maybe cross-wired,so that one set of KOO 'wired from eac push-buttons will .control thecircuits for all the cars of that bank, as is common in this art and asindicated in our prior patent heretofore referred to. It is not thoughtnecessary to illustrate this duplication and cross connection in thedrawings, as the same will be evident to any person skilled in this art.The commutator consists of suitable fixed and relatively movingcontacts, and in the present embodiment we have shown the rushes asconstituting the moving member thereof. The mercury-pots and restoringand setting magnets have in Fig. .1 been shown adjacent the commutatorto more clearly indicate their relative relation; but the may be placedwherever convenient,

an in fact, are usually placed upon a separate supportb themselves,being suitably separate commutator of the bank of elevators, as.indicated. for this one commutator in Fig. 1 The commutator is adaptedto determine the time when the signal shall be operatedthat is, when thelights may be lighted up, providing that a pushbutton has been pushed toclose the other normally open break in the signal-circuit.-

The commutator shown comprises two series of contact-plates; but theyneed not neces sarily be of the form shown in all cases. One such seriesisindicate'd at 28 to 32 and the other series at 34 to 38. These twoseries above indicated are for the car as it moves downwardly, anditwill be observed that oted arm is normally out of contact with themercury, and therefore causes a break in the signal-circuit, and it andthe mercuryot constitute a switch. It will be obvious't at we do notlimit ourselves to this form of switch; but this mercury-pot andpivoted-lever construction is aconvenient one to use, as we have foundby actual practice. The pivoted lever may be caused to drop into the potby different mechanism; but we have found that a magnet controlled by afloor pushbutton is a convenient and effective means to this end. Inthe-present instance we havrovided a setting-magnet, such as 46, (seeFig. 2,) for each push-button, so that when a button, such as 22-, ispushed it will close a circuit from battery 47 through thissettingmagnet 46, therebyattracting its armature 48 and releasing thelever 45, which will drop into the pot, as indicated in the diagram. 46,115,116, 117, and 176 represent a series of such setting-magnets, eachof which is the same as magnet 46. We have also provided arestoring-magnet, such as 49, for each arm 45 for restoring the same tothe normal position shown in Fig. 2 after the car starts to move awayfrom the floor for which the signal has been given. This will bedescribed more in detail hereinafter. 65 to 67 are a series of suchrestoring-magnets, similar to 49. It will be observed from the abovethat each of the intermediate floors is served by one of saidfloor-signals, such as 10, a plate, such as 30, ofone of said seriesconnected therewith, and a plate, such as 36, of the other series whichis connected to the source of supply through a switch, (in this instanceformed by the mercury-pot and arm 45,) which is controlled byhand-operated mechanism, such as plushbutton 22, located at said floorat whic the signal 10 is also located. In orderto make electricalconnection between plates 30 and 36, we have rovided a brush for eachseries of plates an which are electrically connected. Two of suchbrushes are indicated at 50 and 51 (see also Figs. 4 and 7,)which.brushes are, electrically connected by means of the brush-holder156. While these'brushes 50 and 51 are in this embodiment separatebrushes, they are electrically connected by means of the brush-holderwhich holds them and are,-in efiect, a sin le brush having a portionrubbing over eac of the two series of contact-plates, and we do not bythe words two brushes mean to limit ourselves to two separate brushes,as are shown in the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Weprefer to provide three or four pairs of these brushes, as indicated. Itwill e obvious ,that when any one pair of these brushes, such as 53 and54, touch plates 36 and 30, respectively, the floor-lamp 10 will belighted up, as the second normally open break in the circuit (betweenplates 36 and 30) will then. be closed, and. this break will remainclosed so long as any pair of brushes connects those plates. Wepreferably provide several pairs 53 54, &c., of these brushes and spacethe pairs a distanceapart less than the width of any single plate of theseries, so that the platesfor example, 30 and 36Will be electricallyconnected while the car is movin for three or four floors, so that thefloorligIit will light up three or four floors in advance of the car andremain li hted until the car reaches the floor. This re ativearrangementis shown in the diagram and will be referred to hereinafterwhen the particular construction of the brush-carrier is discussedhereinafter. It will be observed that the circuit from the dynamo passesthrough the car-light and then to the long contactstrip 63, and we haverovided a pair of brushes 59 60, the brus 59 rubbing over strip 63 andthe brush making contact with the series 34 to 38. We prefer to providethe long stri 63and the brush 59, rather than to attacht e circuit. fromthe car-lamp directly to brush 60'; but the construction shown may not'be necessary in all cases. The. car-signal is therefore in circuit witha brush-in this instance brush 60on the series of contacts 34 to 38. Inthe present embodiment this brush 60 is a separate brush from any one ofthe brushes 53, 50, 55, or 57, and this is the construction we prefer;but it will be observed (see Fig. 7) that when these brushes are in theposition shown in that fi ure the brush 6O rests upon thesame p ate asthe brush 50, and at that time said two brushes and are, in effect,asingle brush- The construction we have illustrated is, however, muchpreferable, as by it we avoid the necessity of-using any moving wiresconnected with the movable brushes. In order to light up the car-lightonly a floor or so before the car reaches the floor, we have locatedsaid brushes 59 and 60 behind the brushes 53, 54 and 50 51, so that thefloor-light will be lighted up before the car-1i ht is lighted. We havealso provided anot er pair of brushes 61 62, so that the car-light maybe lighted up slightly more than one fiooraway from the floor at whichthe car is tov stop.

We have also provided a series of restoring mechanisms forautomatically-restoring the circuits to normal condition after the carhasv passed by, in this instance raising the mercury-pot arm out of themercury. Such a series of restoring mechanisms is shown by therestoring-magnets 64,65, 49, 66,, and 67, which are all he same asmagnet 49 of Fig. 2. It-will be obs rved that, for.example, restorinofthe same underneath'the end of armature 48', where it will be helduntil the setting-, magnet 46 is again energized. In order to thisinstance by being electrically connected to a brush 74, rubbing overcontact-strip 75,

. so that when-the car starts to move away from the floor on which thesignal has been given brush 73 will en age. contact and energize magnet49 to reak the signal-circuit at the mercury-pot.

The brushes at the upper right side of Fig. 1 have been shown in therelative positions These brush es are, for giving the signals withreference to a down-moving car, and practically the entire part of thecommutator and setting and restoring mechanisms shown at the right ofsaid figure are for a down-moving car. The corresponding parts at theupper lefthahd corner of said figure are for an up-' wardly moving carand are substantially the same, except, of course, being suitablyarg-magnet 49 (see Fig. 2) when energized, i I raise thelever 45 anddrop the right end.

ranged in the reverse order. It will be obseved that the brushes 76 to83 are all in such a position thatthey willcontact with the series 96 to101, the brushes 84 to 87 with the strips 102 and 103, and the brushes88 and '89 with strip 104. This is the position of said brushes 76 to 89when the car is moving downwardly, and it will be obvious that withsuch'brushes resting upon said strips no up signals can be given forthat shaft.

When. the scar moves upwardly, the brushes 76' to 89. are shifted into aposition'corresponding to-that of the other brushes.that is, so

as to make connection between the plates 91 and 97, forexample, and thebrushes 84 to 87 to make connection between plate 97 and the strip 102,and-the. brushes 88 and 89 to contactwith strip 104 and therestQring-conv tacts 105 to 109, so as'to operate the ub signals and thesignal inthe car and the'up re-' storing-magnets 1 10 to 114; Thisshifting of the brushes will be referred to hereinaftena 118 to 1.22represent a set of setting-magnets I for the up side. The system istherefore provided with means forcontrolling the signalswhen the car ismoving up substantially thesame as those'heretofore descrlbed for usewhen the car is moving down.- -123 is a suitable resistance.

Referrin I drawings, t e commutator may be provided with a framewhich,in the present embodiment, has a base 124, provided with U -shaped endpieces 125 and 126, tied together by suitable cross-rods.127 which mav be a'djusted by the'nuts, as indicated. frame are mounted suitablesupports for the, contact-plates, in the present embodiment consistingof two bases of slate or other suitable insulating material, providedwith longitudinal: slots 128, 129, ,and 130. These slots arepreferablyformed by making the supports out of separate strips 131 te 134 of s areslate. (See Fig. 9.) These slate strlizp mounted in the frame, asindicated in ig. 10,'

with a similar slate contact-bearing support, as shown in Fig. 7. Thecontact-plates shown in Fig. 1 are mounted upon these sup- Upon the nowto the other figures ofthe 5 .andare slidable therein and removable byloosening the "screws, such as 135 and 136. v; Each side of thecommutator is provided ports so that the faces are arranged ,in two Isubstantially vertical planes separated from each other, this bein muchpreferable to locating the lines of contacts with their faces inhorizontal plane, as dirt and dust will not collect upon the same soeasily and there will be practically no, danger of short-circuiting byreason. of anything'droppingupon' them. It also has numerous. otheradvantages.

' The brushes are arranged as-shown in. Fig.7,

so that they are located between said planes and bear on said plates. Inorder to move the brushes over the plates, we have, in the presentembodiment, provided a horizontal cated the series of plates over theslots in the slate support and provided each of the plates of the serieswitha removable fastenmg means passing through its slot, whereby theplates may be independently adjusted longitudinally of the slot. Such aconstruction is seen in Figs'3 and 7, in which the series 28 to 32 islocated over the slot 129. We

prefer to provide each plate with a rib, such as indicated at 142 inFig. 7, which forms a key on the rear of the sa me fitting the slot andwhich will accurately aline all the plates of that series. The removablefastening means for the plate 30 is, in this embodiment, a threadedshank 143 and nuts ]44, which may obviously constitute a binding-postfor the wires by which electrical connection is made. By thisconstruction not only can the series be assembled quickly, but thepositions of the lates may be easily and quickly adjustec to meet therequirements of service.

Fixed to the traveling nut 138 are four arms, those to the right of theout 138 in Fig. 7 being indicated at 145 and 146 in Fig. 3. Pivoted toeach pair of arms is a bruslicarrier, one, 14.8,being shown. enlarged inFigs. 4 and 5, there being a brusl'i-carricr for each sideof thecommutator, as shown in Fig. 7, and each carrier is pivoted to the armsby suitable bolts, as in icatod in Fig. 3, so that the same may rock orswing on an axis substantially parallel to the series of contact-plates'lhe brush-carrier 148 is, in the present instance, provided with aplurality of brush-holdcrs mounted thereon. and means whereby the samemay be adjusted on said carrier lon itudinally of the series ofcontact-plates. 1n the present instance these brush-holders areadjustable independently of each other. As seen in Fig. 4, thebrush-holders 149 and 150 for "the carlight brushes and alsobrush-holder 15] for the restoring or set-back brushes 73 and 74 aremounted on a rod 152 and insulated therefrom. They are slidable uponthis rod and also slidable upon and insulated from rod 153, which latterrod constitutes a means for preventing the locking of said holders. Itwill be observed also that bruslnholdcrs 154 to 157 are also slidableupon. two rods 158 and 159 for the same purpose, as above stated. Theholders are preferably made of brass or other conductor of electricity,and

therefore constitute an electrical connection between the brushes or"any one pair. The brushes themselves are preferably slidable in scenesthe holders and may consist of merely round sections of brass rod, asindicated. We profer to provide a resilient pressure upon most of thebrushes for a purpose to be hereinafter specified, and in the presentinstance we have provided for most of the pairs of brushes a slottedyoke 160, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) forced against the brushes by a spring161. We prefer to have all the brushes on one side of the pivot ofbrush-carrier 148 springpressed. against the contact-strips, so that thebrush 74, whichin this instance is fixed in place, will not be forcedagainst its contact-strip, soas to dig into the same. It will beobserved by reference to Figs. 3 and 4 that all the brushes below thepivot-line e e of Fig. 4 are slidable and spring-pressed.

The mechanical operation of the embodiment of the commutator shown inthe drawings is as follows: As the elevator moves downwardly with theparts in position shown in Figs. 3'and 7 the brushes on the brushcarrierat the right of Fig. 7 make contact with the different contact-strips,as shown, the brushes on the brush-carrier at the loft resting upon thestrips indicated in Fig. 7 and also indicated at the upper left side ofFig. 1, the brushes on brush-carrier I l-t5 making the properconnections between the di'llerent contact-platcs at the proper times.The nut 138 has an extension 162 therefrom, which. has a foot 163(see-Fig. 11) at the bottom of the same resting in a guidcway formed byrails 164i and 165, which guideway determines the extent to which saidnut may be rocked in either direction. Running through the center of theguideway is a rib 166, having springs 167 and 168 thereon for preventingthe rocking of the nut and consequent displacement of the brushes if thecar, for example, runs a short way past a lloor and then returns to it.It will be obvious that as the car and commutator reaches the end of itstravel the springs will cause the nut to be rocked in the o ipositcdirection when the car travels in the opposite direction. This rib 166and. the springs 167 and 165- are, however, only an additional featurewhich is not necessary, for the friction of the nut 138 will usually beamply suflicicnt to cause the rocking of the nut as the elevator-carreverses its movement; but we prefer to use some such positive shiftingmeans, as indicated. When the (70111Ill'LIlllttOlFblllSl1G5lfitfil'l theend of their travel to the right and the car reverses its movement, thenut will be rocked to the left in Fig. 7, which will shift thebrush-carrier 14h! upward, so that the brushes will rest in the positioncorresponding to those of the brushes on carrier 169, and willconsequently make the brushes on the carrier at the left operative togive the pro ier signals for an upwardly-moving car and make the brusheson carrier 1 .8 substantially inoperative, because then the brushes 59to 61 will all four rest on plate 170 of Fig. 1 and the brushes 50 to 58rest on and travel over the series 34 to 39 only, and

brushes 73 and 74 will both rest on long contact-strips 75. Brushes 76to 83 will then travel over and make electrical connection betweenstrips to and 96 to 101, and

brushes 84 to 87 will then travel over and make electrical connectionbetween strip 102 and saidseries 96 to 101, and brushes 88 and 89 willtravel over the contacts to.109 and strip 104.

of the brushes ofl' from 'the strips over which they formerly moved, andas the adjacent strips are close together and the brushes are rounded attheir ends and resiliently pressed toward the contacts they will .easilyslide across to their new position. It is of a distinct advantage thatall the brushes shall be at all times in contact with some contactplates or strips, for in that way the accumulation of dirt or greaseupon the contactplates is avoided. It will also be observed that thepressure of the brushes against the contact-plates is not dependent uponthe;

friction between nut 138 and the screw shaft, because the brush-carriersare pivoted to the arms which support thern,-and consequently no matterhow great the friction between the nut and shaft is it will not causefixed brush 74, for example, to dig into the strip over which it moves,the pressure of this brush 74 upon its strip being entirely dependentupon the strength of the springs which press upon the brushes locatedbelow the pivot on which the carrier swings. 'As the brush-carrier ispivoted to the arms extending from the nut, the strength of the springswhich press upon the brushes will not react upon the nutthat is, theywill not oppose the rocking of the nut-which is an advantage over theconstruction illustrated in our previous patent, No. 634,220.

It Wlll be observed that'in the construction of commutator shown theslate contact-bear-- ing supports are separated from base 124a distanceso that an opening along said base is formed between the base and eachcontactbearing su port. in Fig. 3 there is quite a space'left betweenthe base and the lower slate strip 134, and in Fig. 7 there is also aspaceleft between the base and the lower slate strip 172. Longitudinalopenings are in this'Way formed, so that the mechanic may insert hishand to easily remove the lower brushes, if desired.

In Fig. 3 we have illustrated an arrangement of contact-plates, some ofwhich are separated by dead-plates, such deadplates being illustrated,for example, at 173 and which have not been illustrated in Fig. 1because they form no part of the electrical features.

174 is a normally closed transfer-button It will be observed that thisshifting of the brush-carriers will carry some As seen in Fig. 7 andalso i or switch in the car by which the operator may open therestoring-magnet circuit and thus prevent the restoring-magnet fromopening the signal-circuit at the mercury-pot. Such a construction is ofparticular advantage where several elevators are present and is claimedin our previous patent, No. 634,220.

It will be obvious that our construction claimed has man points of,advantage not specifically mentioned above, and We are aware that manyvariations from the construction illustrated may be made; withoutdeparting from the spirit of our invention as claimed. We therefore donot intend to limit ourselves to the embodiment shown in the drawings.

What we claim is 1. In a signaling device for elevators in combination,a source of electricity, an electrically-controlled signal carried b theelevator-car, electrically-controlled signals located along theelevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator adapted to determine thetime when said signals shall be operated and'in part comprisingtwoseries of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one ofsaid floor-signals, a late of one of said series connected therewit anda plate of said other series connected to the source of supply through aswitch controlled by'handoperated. mechanism located at said floor;

said commutator also comprising two brushes one for each series ofplates and relatively movable .over the same, said brushes beingelectrically connected whereb electrical connection is madebetween apihte of each series and said floor-signal is operated, said carsignalbeing in circuit with a third brush on one of said series and connectedto the source of supply in parallel with said floor-light.

2. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source ofelectricity, an 0100- trically-controllcd signal carried by theelevatorcar, electrically-controlled signals located along theelevator-shaft, oneat each floor, a commutator adapted. to determine thetime when said signals shall be operated and in part comprising twoseries of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of saidfloor-signals, a late of one of said series connected therewit and aplate of said other series connected to the source of supply through aswitch controlled by hand-.

vatorcar, electrically-controlled signals located along theelevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator adapted to determine thetime when said signals shall be operated 'and in part comprising twoseries of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of saidfloor-signals, a plate of one of said series connected therewith, and aplate of said other series connected to the source of supply through aswitch controlled by hand operated mechanism located at said floor; saidcommutator also comprising three brushes contacting with said two seriesof plates and relatively movable over the same, two of said brushesbeing electrically connected, one for each series of plates, wherebyelectrical connection is made between a plate of each series, the thirdof said brushes being in circuit with'said signal carried by the car andlocated behind said other brushes whereby said car-signal is operatedafter said floor signal.

4. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source ofelectricity, an electrically-controlled signal carried by theelevator-car, electric lamps located along the elevator-shaft, one ateach floor, a commutator adapted to determine the time when said lampsshall be lighted and in part comprising two series of contact-plates,each of said floors beim served by one of said floorlamps, a plate ofone of said series connected therewith and a plate of said other seriesconnected to the source of supply through a switch controlled 'byhand-operated mechan ism located at said floor; said commutator alsocomprising three brushes contacting with said two series of plates andrelatively movable over the same, two of said brushes being electricallyconnected, one for each series of plates, whereby electrical connectionis made between a plate of each series, the third of said brushes beingin circuit with said signal carried by the car.

5. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source ofelectricity, an electrically-controlled signal carried by. theelevator-car, electrically-controllcd signals located along theelevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator ada ted to determine thetime when said signa s shall be operated and in part comprising twoseries of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of saidfloor-signals, a plate of one of saidseries connected therewith, and aplate of said other series connected to the source of supply through aswitch controlled by hand-operated mechanism located at said lloor; saidcommutator also comprising three brushes contacting with said two seriesof plates and relatively movable over the same, two of said brushesbeing electrically connected, one for each series of plates, wherebyelectrical connection is made between a plate of each series, the'thirdof said brushes being in circuit with said signal carried by the car,said third brush and one of said other brushes being carried by a rigidconnection between them.

6. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series ofcontact-plates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantiallyvertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for eachseries located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and meansto move said brushes over said plates.

7. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, two series ofcontactplates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantiallyvertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for eachseries located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and meansto move said brushes over said lates, an elevator-car, anelectrically-controlled signal carried by said car, one of said seriescontrolling the time of operation of said signal when said car moves inone direction and the other series controlling said signal when said carmoves in the opposite direction.

8. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series ofcontact-plates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantiallyvertical planes separated from each other. one or more brushes for eachseries located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and ascrew-shaft and nut thereon carrying said brushes and adapted to movesaid brushes over said plates.

9. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series ofcontact-plates, the. faces of which are arranged in two substantiallyvertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for eachseries located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and ahorizontal screw-shaft and nut thereon carrying said brushes and adaptedto move said brushes over said plates.

10. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series ofcontact-plates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantiallyvertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for eachseries located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and ascrew-shaft and nut thereon carrying said brushes and adapted to movesaid brushes over said plates, there being on each side of said nut andpivoted thereon a holder for the brush of one of said series of plates.

11. In a commutator in combination, a frame having a base, two contactbearingsupports separated from said base whereby an opening along saidbase is formed between said base and each contact bearing support,contact-strips on each of said supports arranged at an angle to saidbase, and suitable brushes and means to move the same over saidcontact-strips.

12. In a commutator in combination, a

frame having a base, two contact bearingsupports separated from saidbase whereby an opening along said base is formed between said base andeach contact bearingsupport, contact-strips on each of said supportsarranged in two substantially vertical planes, and suitable brushesbetween said planes and means to move the same over said contact-strips.

13. In a commutator in combination, a.

frame having a base, a contact-bearing support of insulating materialrunning longitudinally and separated from said base whereby an openingalon said base is formed between said base an said support, said supporthaving its contact-bearing face substan tially vertical, apluralit ofcontact-strips running longitudinally 0 said support and suitablebrushes and means to move the same over said strips. v I

14. In a commutator in combination, a frame rovided with acontact-bearing support 0 insulating material having a longitudinal slottherein, and a series of independent contact-plates on said support,said series being located over said slot, each of the plates of'saidseries being provided with a removable fastening means passing throughits slot, whereby the plates of that series may be independentlyadjusted longitudinally of said slot, one or more brushes for saidseries of plates and means to automatically move the same over saidseries. v

15-. In a commutator, in combination, a frame provided with acontact-bearing support of insulating material having alongitudinal slottherein, and a series of independent contact-plates on said support,said series being located over said slot, each of the plates of saidseries being provided with a removable fastening means assing throughits slot whereby the plates of that series may be independently adjustedlongitudinally of said slot, one-or more brushes forsaid series ofplates and means to automatically move the same over said series, someof. said plates having a key on the rear of the same adapted to fit itsslot. a

16. In a commutator in combination, a frame. provided with acontact-bearing sup port of insulating material having a longitu-.

dinal slot therein, and a series of independent contact-plates on saidsupport, said series being located over said slot, each of the plates ofsaid series being provided with a removable fastening means passinglthrough'its slot and constituting a binding-post, whereby the plates ofthat series may e independently adjusted longitudinall of said slot, oneor series of plates and saiil series. I

' 17. In a commutator in combination, a contact-bearing supportcomprising inde pendently-removable strips of insulating materialseparated slightlyfrom each'other 'to form longitudinal slots, and aseries of independent contact-plates' located overv each slot and eachprovided with-means passing through its slot and adapted to adjustablyfasten said plate to said support.

18, In a commutator in'combination, a contact-bearing .sulpportcomprising independently-removab e strips of insulating materialseparated slightly from each other to form longitudinal slots, and aseries of independent contact-plates located over each slot and eachprovided with means passing through its slot and adapted to adjustablyfasten said-plate to said sup ort, said strips being longitudinallyslidable in said frame.

19.. In a signaling'device for elevators in combination, an elevator-carand an electricallyoperated si nal carried thereby, anelectrically-operate signal at each floor, two series of contacts, oneseries for the car-signal and the other for said floor-signals, a.brushcarrier and means for moving said carrier over said series, saidcarrier having one or more brush-holders for each series, and meanswhereby said brush-holders may be adjusted on said carrierlongitudinally of said series.

20. In a commutator in combination, a' plurality of contact-strips, abrush-carrier,

and Ineans for moving said carrier over said strips, said carrier havingarp'lurality of brush; holders, and means whereby each brushholders, andmeans w ereby each brushholder maybe. independently adjusted on saidcarrier longitudinally of said strips, said carrier beingpivoted to saidmeans which moves it so as to swing on an axis substan-f' tiallyparallel to said strips, said carrier havholder maybe independently,adjusted on ing one or more of said brushes on each side 'of said pivot.

22. In a commutator in combination, a

plurality of contact-strips, a brush-carrier,

and means for moving said carrier over said stri s, said carrier havingone ormore brush: hol ers, said brush holders having two brushes movabletoward andaway from said strips, a yoke resting on said brushes and aspring pressing said yoke against said brushes. i

23. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of contactstrips, abrush-carrier, and means for moving said carrier over said stri s, saidcarrier having a plurality of'brushho] ers, said carrier being pivotedto said 'means which moves it so as to swing on an axissubstantiallyparallel to said, strips, said carrier having one or more of saidbrushes on each side of said nivot and all the brushes on one side ofsaid pivot being resiliently pressed toward said strips.

24. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality ofoontactstrips, a brush carrier and means for moving the same over saidstrips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially parallelwith said strips and provided with a brush-holder adjustablelongitudinally on said rod.

25. in a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality ofcontact-strips, a brush-carrier and means for moving the same over saidstrips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially arallel withsaid strips and provided with a rush-holder adjustable longitudinally onsaid rod, and means for preventing the rocking of said holder on saidrod. 7

26. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality ofcontact-strips, 'a brush-carrier and means for moving the same over saidstrips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially parallelwith said strips and provided with a brush-holder adjustablelongitudinally on said rod, and means for preventing the rocking of saidholder on said rod comprising a second rod on which said holder is alsoadjustable.

27. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality ofcontactstrips, a brush-carrier and means for moving the same over saidstrips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially parallelwith said strips and provided with a brush-holder adiustablelongitudinally on said rod, said carrier being pivoted between its pointof support and said strips so as to swing on an axis substantiallyarallel with said stri s.

28. In an e evator-commutator 1n combination, a plurality ofcontact-strips, a brushcarrier and means for moving the same pver saidstri s correspondingly to the movement of the e e'vator-car andcomprising a screwshaft and nut, said carrier being ivoted to swing onan axis at one side of sai shaft and substantially parallel to saidstrips, and one or more brushes on said carrier at each side of saidpivot, said brushes being springpressed against said strips.

29. in an elevator-commutator in combination, a plurality ofcontact-strips, a brushcarrier and means for moving the same over saidstri s correspondingly to the movement of the e evator-car andcomprising a screwshaft and nut, said carrier being pivoted to swing onan axis substantially parallel to said strips, and one or more brusheson said carrier at each side of said pivot, all of the brushes at oneside of said pivot being springpressed toward said strips.

30. In a commutator in combination, a pan" of contact-strips, one ofsaid strips com-' prising a series of insulated plates, a brush for eachstrip, an electric connection between seavee said brushes, said brushesbeing movable. lon 'tudinally over said strips correspondi'ngl y to themovement of the elevator-car, and means for also moving one of saidbrushes transversely oil from its strip, said brush being mounted tomove toward and away from its strip, and means resiliently pressing saidbrush toward said strip.

31. In an elevator-commutator 1n combination, a pair of contact-strips,one of said strips comprising a series of insulated contacts, a brushresting on each strip, an electric connection between said brushes, saidbrushes being adapted to be moved longitudinally over said stri scorrespondingly to the movement of the elievator-car, and means forautomatically moving one brush transversely off from its strip onto saidother strip so that both brushes rest on the same strip.

32. In an elevator-commutator in combination, a pair of contact-strips,one of said strips comprising a series of insulated contacts and theother a continuous strip, a brush resting on each strip, an electric connection between said brushes, said brushes being adapted to be movedlongitudinally over said stri s correspondingly to the movement of the eevator-car, and means for automatically moving one brush transverselyoil from its strip onto said continuous strip so that bothbrushes reston said continuous strip.

33. In an elevator-commutator in combination, a pair of contact-strips,one of said strips comprising a series of insulated contacts, a brushresting on each strip, an electric connection between said brushes, saidbrushes being adapted to be moved longitudinally over said st'ripscorrespondingly to the movement of the elevator-car, and means forautomatically moving one brush transversely off from its strip onto saidother strip so that both brushes rest on the same strip, saidtransversely-moved brush beingmovable toward and away from its strip andprovided with a spring pressing the same toward its strip.

34; In an elevator-commutator in combination, a frame, a screw-shaftcarried by said frame and a nut on said shaft, a contact-bearing supporton each side of said shaft, each support carrying a plurality ofcontact-strips, a brush-carrier on each side of said nut and movedthereby longitudinally over said strips, a plurality of brushes on eachcarrier, at least one for each strip, each of said carriers beingpivoted to said nut on an axis substantiallyparallel with said strips.

35. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, anelectrically-operated signal carried bythe car, a switch in saidcar-signal circuit controlled by hand-operated mechanism, a series ofrestoring mechanisms for antomatically restoring the circuit for saidcarsignal to normal condition, a commutator- IXO searee frame, ascrew-shaft carried by said frame and a nut on said shaft, acontact-bearing support on each side of said shaft, each supportcarrying a series of contacts for the carsignal and a series of contactsfor the restoring mechanisms, a brush-carrier on each side of said nutand moved thereby longitudinally over said two series, a plurality ofbrushes on each carrier, at least one for each series, each of saidcarriers being pivoted to said nut on an axis substantially parallelwith said series.

36. in an elevator-signaling apparatus in combination, anelectricallycperated signal carried by the car, an electrically-operatedsignal at each floor, each signal being in part controlled by handoperated mechanism located at a floor, a series of restoring mechanismsadapted to restore the circuits for said signals to normal condition, aframe, a screw-shaft carried by said frame and. a nut on said shaft, acontact-bearing support on each side of said shaft, said. supportcarrying a series of contacts for the car-signal, a series of contactsfor said restoring mechanisms, and a series of contacts for saidfloor-signals, a brush-carrier on each side of said nut and movedthereby longitudinally over said series of contacts, a plurality ofbrushes on each carrier, at least one for each series, each of saidcarriers being pivoted to said nut on an axis substantlally parallelwith said strips.

37. in a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality ofcontact-strips, a screw-shaft and traveling nut thereon, a brush foreach strip carried by said nut, said brushes being spring-pressed intocontact With said strips, said nut being adapted to be rocked on saidshaft, an extension from said nut and a guide engaging said extensionand ada ted to determine the extent to Which sai nut may be rocked ineither direction.

38. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality ofcontact-strips, a screw-shaft and traveling nut thereon, a brush foreach strip carried by said nut, said brushes being spring-pressed intocontact with said strips and carried on a brush-carrier pivotallyconnected with said nut, said nut being adapted to be rocked on saidally connected With said nut to swing on an axis substantially parallelto said shaft, each of said carriers having a brush for each of saidseries of contacts adjacent to it, said brushes being independentlyadjustable on said carrier longitudinally of said screwshaft 40. in anelevator-commutator in combination, a frame comprising a pair of substantially vertically-arranged contact supports made out of insulatingmaterial, a screw= shaft between the same, a nut thereon, a

plurality of series of contact-pl ates on the in;

ner face of each of said supports and arranged longitudinally of saidshaft, a brush-carrier on each side of'said shaft and pivotally con-'-nected with said nut to swing on an axis substantially parallel to saidshaft, each of said carriers having a brush for each of said series ofcontacts adjacent to it, said brushes being independently adjustable onsaid carrier lon= gitudinally of said screw-shaft, said nut beingadapted "to rock on said shaft whereby some of the brushes of one ofsaid brush-carriers are moved transversely oil from the series ofcontacts upon which they rest;

Dated this 22d day of April, 1985.

JAMES B. Sh/LALLEY. CHARLES A. REINERS Witnesses to Smalley:

- E. Wraps,

D. M. BRENT.

Witnesses to lteiners:

ltnnnson NEWELL, Bnarnron Minvrs.

